OBJECTS ARE BY x Lukas Bentel: The Unicorn Rests In The Garden 2 at NYCxDesign

OBJECTS ARE BY presents The Unicorn Rests in a Garden 2, a groundbreaking collaboration with Lukas Bentel, artist and Creative Director of the renowned art collective MSCHF. Featured as part of NYCxDesign in May 2024, this unique exhibition in Manhattan reimagines the medieval Unicorn Tapestries from the Met Cloisters through a modern, contemporary lens. The collection includes nine collectible design tapestries paired with our signature Milan Metro-inspired ceramics, blending historical art with innovative design. Every piece is meticulously crafted in Italy using sustainable, low-impact production methods, underscoring OBJECTS ARE BY’s commitment to ethical craftsmanship. The materials are OEKO-TEX® certified and woven in Northern Italy.

In this collection, Bentel delves into powerful themes such as environmental fragility, the balance of control, and the tension between beauty and destruction. He describes the unicorn as “a mystical human invention and a figure that challenges our understanding of reality,” inviting viewers to reflect on these timeless concepts and their relevance today. The installation also conceptually explores the idea of ‘place,’ drawing on the historical significance of tapestries as portable art that collectors would transport between homes. By reimagining this tradition with hand-painted walls and other elements, the exhibition captured the essence of the Met Cloisters, transposing its architectural and atmospheric elements into the space, and challenging perceptions of environment, mobility, and the fluidity of art across time and location- effectively transporting the Met Cloisters to Manhattan.